1119

Historic Civil War Allen & Wheelock Center Hammer Lipfire Army Revolver, Inscribed to an Officer in

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Revolvers Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Historic Civil War Allen & Wheelock Center Hammer Lipfire Army Revolver, Inscribed to an Officer in
Buyer's Premium is 20.5% by credit card, reduced to 18% if payment is made by cash, check or wire transfer. Contact Rock Island Auction Company to complete your registration with the auction house.
Historic Civil War Allen & Wheelock Center Hammer Lipfire Army Revolver, Inscribed to an Officer in the 48th Massachusetts (Militia) Regiment

Also known as the 2nd Model Lipfire, only about 250 Lipfire Army revolvers were made in the early 1860's, being one of several American arms designs shut down for infringement on the Smith & Wesson-owned Rollin White patent on the bored-through cylinder. The design was salvaged by introducing a percussion-equipped cylinder, making it one of the few arms where the cartridge model came out before the percussion. Brass blade front and frame notch rear sights, with the left side barrel flat marked "ALLEN & WHEELOCK, WORCESTER, MS. U.S./ALLEN' S PAT'S SEP. 7, NOV. 9, 1858" and the serial (batch) "175" is marked on the left side of the frame under the grip, on the loading gate, the inside of each grip panel and on the rear face of the cylinder. Smooth grips with the right panel inscribed "LIEUT./John K. T(illeg.)" on the butt and the left panel "Co/48th Mass Regt". The 48th Massachusetts Infantry was assembled in 1862, combining a partially formed Essex County regiment with a partially formed Irish regiment for an expedition to New Orleans. Leaving New Orleans, the 48th participated in the initial assault and the following siege on Port Hudson, losing their Lieutenant Colonel and a number of men in the process, and helping to secure full Union dominion over the length of the Mississippi River.

Manufucture: Allen & Wheelock
Model: Center Hammer
BBL: 7 1/2 inch part octagon
Stock:
Guage: 44 Lipfire
Finish: blue
Grips: walnut
Serial Number: 175

Fine, with 30% of the original blue finish, showing a mixed brown and gray patina overall. Heavy pitting is present around the muzzle, with a few scattered light handling marks. The grips are good, with varnish loss concentrated around the edges and a few mild dents. A few of the dents affect the legibility of the inscription, particularly the Lieutenant's last name. Mechanically very good. Other Allen & Wheelock lipfire Army revolvers inscribed to Civil War officers are known as a similar revolver inscribed to Capt. E.T. Colby was sold at auction in 2009.